conclusion: "Given
their thorough, honest, and non-dogmatic
approach (unlike, for example, Michael
Pollan's convoluted rationalizations
of meat-eating in The Omnivore's
Dilemma), Singer and Mason
have crafted a guide for all thoughtful,
ethical individuals. Everyone already
concerned with the impact of their
purchases should read this book.
Its non-strident tone and its lack
of photos make it a perfect gift
for a relative or friend who won't
read Why Vegan or watch
Meet Your Meat."

An Inconvenient Truth

Veda Stram suggests that people
leaflet at screenings of An
Inconvenient Truth, as the
crowd is probably more on the progressive
side. The Try Vegetarian
booklet (pdf)
is probably best for this situation.
You can order copies here;
a screening list is here.

Product & Link of the Week

Holly: "I'd like to nominate
Wildwood yogurt as product of the
week. It's the only yogurt on the
market I've found to be similar
to the real thing. Plus, it has
all the same live culture benefits
of traditional yogurt."

Notes from All
Over

excerpt: "Where were
you when Barbaro broke his leg?
I was at a steakhouse, watching
the race on a big screen. I saw
a horse pulling up, a jockey clutching
him, a woman weeping. In the restaurant,
people watched and wondered. Then
we went back to eating our steaks.
Shrinks call this 'cognitive dissonance.'"

excerpt: "Extreme
action by animal rights activists
has backfired, according to a new
poll that suggests British voters
are now more supportive than before
of medical tests on animals. Some
70% of those questioned by YouGov
for the Daily Telegraph
said that it was acceptable to test
new medical treatments on animals
before they are tested on humans.
Earlier polls have produced splits
much closer to 50-50 on the issue."

Notes from Our
Members

I had lost interest
in animal rights before
somebody handed me a pamphlet a
few years ago in Seattle. I thought
it was all about movie stars and
cliques and I didn't fit in, though
I was vegetarian and had been very
active at one time. I think you
are the BEST organization out there
for helping people go veg (and saving
animals), and probably the best
overall!-LL, Virginia Beach,
5/29/06

Thanks for calling
off the Vegan Police!
I am happy to be vegan, and an example
for my family. I work hard not to
promote isolation, to bemoan the
limitations or lay claim to the
vegan lifestyle being hard or challenging
in any way. Believe me (you already
know this), it is challenging --
anything worthwhile is -- but most
people aren't into anything that
is really that hard or takes a lot
of commitment. I have just scratched
the surface in finding out how many
items/products have animal products
in them and am really, quite frankly,
blown away. I was beginning to shy
away from calling myself vegan for
fear that I'd be out in the grocery
store and someone would "call
me out" for something that
I've un-knowingly placed in my cart!
If we attack each other or come
off as the superior species and
not level-headed people looking
to live in harmony -- as far as
it is up to us, we will eternally
just be "those people"
and the cause will be lost.-RL, 5/23/06

I received the box
of pamphlets from you; my husband
and I both pass them out to everyone.
Hubby works at Trader Joe's and
has converted several people to
being vegan and many more are interested
in becoming vegan!-JH, Bay Point, CA,
5/30/06

Vegan Outreach is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the suffering of farmed animals by promoting informed, ethical eating.